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Post by SAR01 on Jan 21, 2018 17:20:32 GMT -5
Dear Friends, We are all looking for that magic potion or the magic wand that is going to get your home clean. The secret to getting your home in order is moving your arms and legs. So another way to look at this is your arm is the magic wand! When you it things get done. How do you clean a shower door? With your hand! I know this may seem too simple to you, but those babysteps work. We have been looking for that chemical solution that is miraculously remove that soap residue. Nothing works better than the up and down motion of elbow grease. We don't give you cleaning tips; we motivate you to get up and do something. Think about this! In our perfectionism we want to see everything clean at once. What is so hard in today's society is to have the time to get it done to please the perfectionist inside of us. So what do we do, we do nothing. Why should we waste a whole Saturday having fun with our families in order to clean? Babysteps will work if you will do them. So think about how the soap residue got there; every day when you are in the shower you leave just a little on the door. Why can't you just turn that around and every day when you are in the shower, take a little of that soap film with you! Get a loofa sponge, purple rag, or a scrubber even the ones you use in the shower to make those wonderful bubbles will work too. Keep it in the shower and then use the same soap you used on your body, on the shower doors. Yes it is just that simple. The power comes from your arm not the chemical. Soap is soap! You don't have to use harsh chemicals to clean the door. Do one little section at a time. Try for the size of a dinner plate. Spend just a minute or two. Do not obsess about this. A little scrubbing every day will make the soap film go away. Guess what; you won't get chemical pneumonia either from breathing those strong chemicals. Beside a couple more minutes in the shower is not going to hurt you! Then after a few weeks you will have the worst part of it done. Then you can wax the doors with glass wax or liquid car wax. This will keep the soap film from being so hard to get off the next time. Now don't complain about hard water: the scrubbing works for that too. Hard water stains are just calcium deposits that have been left after the water evaporates. I once had to use a wood chisel to get those out of a toilet bowl. There was no chemical that would magically eat them away, but the chisel just popped them off. A sharp knife works too. Just be gentle and careful. I just want you to quit looking for that magic fix and do a babystep! Are your ready to FLY by taking those simple little babysteps? FlyLady
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 21, 2018 18:29:34 GMT -5
Zone #4 Mission #1 Monday Zone 4: The Master Bedroom, Bathroom, and Closet
Dear Friends,
Today is the day to attack the clothes pile. Now you all know what I am talking about. This pile is either on a chair, on top of the hamper, dresser or at the foot of your bed. Set your timer for 15 minutes and grab some hangers or start folding. While you are doing this do not hang up or fold something that you hate! This is the time to let it go. If you do not love it, send it right out the door!
FlyLady Rebecca
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 24, 2018 11:53:11 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
The other day I was stumped by an interview question. Now let me tell you: I can answer any thing they throw at me, but for the first time I was speechless. The question was; what was the weirdest item that I had ever flung. I had to admit that I could not remember because once it is out of my home I never think of it again.
Over the years we have declutter many things from our homes. We have noticed that your weird items tossed had a feeling of sadness and we wondered what that was going on. I have studied this question and came up with the answer from my mid-night editor.
The sadness comes from guilt!
----Guilt from buying it in the first place ----Guilt from not loving it enough because a loved one gave it to you ----Guilt for being raised by parents who saved everything ----The sadness is also mourning for lost loves or lost loved ones ----You know those relationships that have ended in divorce ----The ones that never really got to marriage but still hurt ----The pain of remembering a loved one who died ----The pain of losing a parent ----The pain of losing of a child ----The pain of not wanting to let go of the item
I know that FLINGing is tough. It dredges up sad times and the guilt that we put on ourselves for spending.
When you walk through your home I want everything you have to bring a smile to your face. In order for this to happen you are going to have to examine the first thoughts you have when you see an item. If you have a bad feeling the item needs to go away! I mean this! There is no room in your life for anything that makes you feel bad or self punishment.
Your home should reflect happy thoughts! You can do this by releasing those items that make you feel bad. You may have to sing one of my favorite FLINGing Songs: Please Release Me and Let It Go. Sing these song from the stuffs point of view, but this time sing it because you want to be released from the pain that this item makes you feel. Once the item is out of your home, it will not dredge up those bad memories ever again!
When I was asked the question about the weirdest item I realized that once it was out of my home it was out of my head. As a result of releasing it; I also released the guilt and sadness that the item represented.
Let those feelings go out the door with the clutter. Please Release me let me go. The clutter has had a hold of you for a very long time, but once you acknowledge what it is doing and you can mourn the loss and not only cleanse your home of clutter, but your soul of the guilt.
Oh I remembered weirdest item I have ever decluttered: It was airplane rivets that we got in a workbench at an auction. We kept them for a couple of years thinking that they had to be good for something or someone. NO! All they did was take up space in our garage and we eventually we tried to recycled them because they were aluminum, but our recycle center would not take them. We even contacted everyone we knew that might have a need for them. They were useless! We finally let go of the guilt of not being able to find someone to love them and released them.
I want you to find peace and this peace comes from letting go of clutter and the guilt that is associated with it. The best gift you can give yourself is the gift of forgiveness.
Are you ready to FLY?
FlyLady
Tip of the day: When you bring something new home, get rid of two like items. This will keep you clutter down. Mission #5 Take a bag to your closet and gather up 5 items of clothing that you have not worn in a long time. Then place that bag in the car to donate next time you are out. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with GOOD RIDDANCE in the subject line. Mission #6 Take a bag and run through the house and gather up 9 pieces of paper to throw away.Then throw that bag in the trash. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with PAPER CLUTTER HAS MET ITS MATCH.
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 25, 2018 15:28:56 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
Yesterday we worked on the nightstands and today we are going after the dressers. Get rid of anything that is not necessary. Instead of a pile up of cosmetics, place them in a ziplock bag and then store them in a drawer when not in use. For perfumes and colognes, toss what you no longer use and place you favorites on a pretty tray, plate or mirror. Keep this space neat and clutter free, you will love to wake up to the flat surfaces in your bedroom decluttered.
FlyLady Rebecca
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 26, 2018 19:39:09 GMT -5
Dear Friends, Many times we just think too hard on a subject or think it is going to take a long time to develop a menu plan for your family that we just don't do it. We wait till the last minute to even begin to cook something for ourselves and our family. As a result we throw in the dish towel before we even open the refrigerator door and head for the first drive-thru. This drains our pocketbooks and adds unwanted pounds to our bodies. Do you know how much money you have been spending on food for your family? This means in the grocery store and eating out.
Most of our income is spoken for by fixed payments: Utility bills, phone bills, house payments, car payments and credit card payments. When it comes down to saving real money the only place we have any wiggle room is on our food expenses. A little planning today will keep the money in the bank instead of it slipping through your fingers as you pay your toll at the golden arches.
Here is a simple way to make your menu plan: Keep a food calendar. All you have to do is pencil in what you had to eat every night. This will help you to build your menus for a week and this is a great start. We are all creatures of habit, so use these family habits to help you build a routine for your meals.
Let's use Sunday as an example: Do you go out to dinner or do you fix a big family meal. If you cook; is it pot roast or chicken? Are you beginning to see a pattern to our meals? This is why I like to have a theme to each meal for every day of the week. It can either be the type of meat you are cooking as the main course or how you cook it; the grill, crock pot or casserole. Or you could have a country theme; Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Greek, American, or Plain ole southern country cookin'. You can have some real fun with this and teach your children how to cook at the same time. Each night you could have a different Kid Chef. You would let your children help decide on the menu, make our grocery lists and then help prepare the meal. There is no better way to help a child learn about nutrition and real food. Just teach your child to make a salad and watch them ask for seconds and offer them to all the family.
Knowing what you are going to cook is half the battle. The other half is having the food in the house so you can pull it out of the freezer or pantry and fix it. If you have to go to the store you might as well just pass those arches again. This is why having a day set aside to plan menus, take inventory of your refrigerator as you clean it out and then go grocery shopping will help you enjoy cooking with your family again. You will be surprised at how much fun it is to cook when your kitchen is clean, your sink is shining, and you have food in the house.
Are you ready to feed your family while saving money by getting back in the kitchen? Your sink is shining and you have your shoes on! Get out your calendar and begin simple menu planning.
FlyLady
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 27, 2018 15:02:18 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
Do you feel like the whole world is crashing in on top of you? Believe it or not it happens to all of us from time to time!
When we get busy, we feel that we don't have time to do even the simplest of routines. So what do we do! We let our HOT SPOTS take over our homes!
Yes that is all it is! You come in the door tired and ready to drop your load where ever you can put it! Then you crash! No wait you have to throw something together for supper and I mean throw! Because when you are finished the kitchen looks like a bomb went off and you feel like you could get out of the way. By this time you are so overwhelmed that you just want to hide so you go to bed without doing the smallest of a before bed routine and all of a sudden your home has exploded in your face and your husband is pitching one of his usual fits! Ugly words are exchanged and you feel terrible!
Here is the secret to stopping this explosion before it starts. When you hear yourself saying that you don't have time or you don't have the energy to do something. Stop dead in your tracks and set a timer for 5, 10, or even 15 minutes and do a quick pick up and put away. That is all it takes to make you not feel so overwhelmed.
Our Hot Spots attack more than our home. They hurt us inside by causing us to feel bad because we can't keep up, as well as zap our energy! Now I want you to pay close attention! You can start over anytime! You are never behind! Do you hear me?
That stinking thinking of "I don't have enough time" is for the birds! It is what got your home in the shape it was in when you joined our cyber-family! It's our perfectionism rearing its ugly head one more time! You can stop the downward spiral by replacing those terrible words, "I don't have time!" with "I can do just 5 minutes!"
This is a huge attitude adjustment for most of us. It takes time and worst of all we don't even realize we are doing it. Now that it has been brought to your attention, you will hear yourself says those words. When you do; turn them around and just set your timer and do just a little. I can hear you now! "BUT! I really don't have the time! She doesn't understand. Well I am here to tell you that I used to think the same way and I have changed my negative thoughts into positive ones and you can too. It all starts with the realization of what you are doing to yourself with those words. It is a form of WHINING! You know I don't allow whining!
I want for you what I have: PEACE! This peace came for letting go of negative thoughts and replacing them with positive actions. Even a little will go a long way toward helping you find this peace!
{{{Hugs}}}
FlyLady Tip of the day: With your hotspots cleared; your home will feel clean. When you get home after work find a place to put the items you need each day. This way you can find them.
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 28, 2018 18:13:30 GMT -5
Dear Friends, My only concern in the world is for you, your home and your family. I want you to realize that my mission in life is to help you find the peace that I have found. Without my routines, I would not be able to help you. I applaud those of you that have other missions; we all have to find our paths in life. My mission is to help you clear out the clutter so you will know what your mission is. We have seen this happen time and time again. But it doesn't happen over night! Despite the fact that we can crisis clean and the house will look presentable for company! Our attitudes are the peaceful deciding factor in our homes. Let's think about this for a minute. When we clean and feel that we are the only one who does anything, then we are playing the martyr. Regardless of the fact that the statement may be true, you have made yourself feel bad (pity-party again) and let's not forget about the deafening sounds of silence in your pout or even worse the loud yelling tones of disapproval toward your family and the screaming demands for someone to get off their backside and help you! Everyone will stay clear of you at this point! No wonder you don't have any help. No one wants to be around you! Now let's look at the reverse of this whiny attitude. When we quit nagging, pouting, yelling, screaming, and just go about our daily routines then the tone of your home and your voice begins to change. The yelling, screaming, nagging, and pouting have not worked to get any help around the house; then why not try something different. A change in attitude! You are responsible for the tone in your home. You can decide to be happy and it will happen. You can be and everyone will be , or you can be in a tizzy and the whole house will be turned upside down in a matter of a few minutes. You can be stressed and fearful, and your babies will know it. So will your critters. So why does it have to be your responsibility for the tone in your home. I don't rightly know, but as we say in the south, "If Mama ain't happy then nobody's happy." Maybe it is because we are the nurturers. I know when I am sick, I still want my Momma! We look to the female of our species to take care of us, whether we are 5 or 50. I didn't make the rules, but we are all called on to live by them whether we like it or not. Rebelling doesn't make us any happier. Besides what is wrong with being content. I am listening to a beautiful piece of music right now. My Sweet Darling put on a violin concerto by Mendelssohn. I asked him to tell me what he knew about the composer. He told me that his critics said his music had no conflict and resolution, that it was too sweet. Well to that I say what is wrong with sweet, does everything have to be conflicted and be fixed! I kind of like being satisfied, content, and things going along smoothly. Since having my routines and clutter out of my life along with my new attitude, I no longer live on Adrenalin. For years I was constantly putting out fires and running around with my head cut off. When you are tearing through life: you miss so much as well as being more accident prone because of your rushing. When are you going to slow down and let your routines put you on automatic pilot? It is such a blessing to flow through your day and not be feeding on the frenzy of CHAOS! You are going to be so surprised when your calm example entices your family to pitch in. I know you don't believe me, but it will happen if you will take our attitude adjusting essays to and let them turn your CHAOS into peace! Are you ready to FLY? FlyLady
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 31, 2018 11:33:51 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
So many of you are having a problem with your before bed routine.
The complaints range from:
1. I am too tired. 2. My list is too long. 3. My DH wants me to come to bed. 4. The Kids won't let me. 5. It takes too long to do everything on my list. 6. I don't have time.
You name it I have heard it. Well as you all know, I feel that this routine is more important than the morning one. You can do this.
As for me, My before bed routine is automatic. I do it and don't even realize I am making plans for a good morning.
Here is what happens. As soon as we are through with supper, I make sure the kitchen is clean. I don't wait until just before bed to do this. This is half the battle. A clean kitchen is the jewel in your crown and going to bed with it sparkling will bless you in the morning. Most of the time, the kitchen is clean by 7:30 pm and if needed, I run the dishwasher either right then or before bed. If I run it immediately, I unload it before I go to bed, so I don't have to do it in the morning. I love having an empty dishwasher all the time.
Next I usually take a bubble bath. This relaxes me. I am not tied to the TV or the computer. As I am running the water for my bath, I undress, (you have to do this to take a bath LOL) this is my cue to pick out my clothes for tomorrow. Do you see how this is working. In order to lay out my clothes for the next day, I need to know what I have on my calendar.
So guess what, I have to check my appointments on my calendar. One thing triggers another. It is very fast and automatic. I am doing this as the water runs into the tub. Also it keeps me from getting sidetracked. I can't wait to relax so I am doing this as fast as I can. It is all a game with me. So by 8:30 pm, I am bathed, relaxed, clothes are ready for tomorrow. (you have to be caught up on the laundry for this to work) and I have checked my calendar.
Next thing is my free time.
I choose to answer your emails, watch TV, listen to music, read, or write. Sometimes we go to bed early. All that is left for me to do is pick up anything that I have left out. Hot Spot Fire prevention. So I visually check my coffee table, dining table, and the end of my kitchen counter. Since I do this twice a day or more times than that(I pick up after myself), there is not much to put away. We may have a glass to put in the kitchen, (I put in the DW or wash it so I don't leave it in my shiny sink.) that is about it. Then maybe put away a newspaper. I can then go to my bedroom. Turn down my bed, moisturize my face, and brush my teeth. Then I am ready to crawl into the bed. At this point I do my prayers, meditation, and my gratitude journal. I then get to snuggle in for the evening with my Sweet Darling.
You see, my before bed routine starts way before my bedtime. You can do this too. It is just a matter of keeping the whole process in the back of your mind and doing it one step at a time. Each step leads you to the next one and before you know it, your routine has been done and you haven't looked at your list.
I want you to FLY, this routine gets your morning started on the right foot!
FlyLady Tip of the Day: Start your Before Bed Routine right after dinner; don't wait till it is time to go to bed. Write your simple Before Bed Routine on Post-It Notes and place them on your bathroom mirror to remind you. Mission #19 Set a bedtime for yourself. What time do you need to get up in the morning and then count back 8 hours to establish that bedtime. Set an alarm on your phone to start your Before Bed Routine. Then send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with I WILL COMMIT TO 8 HOURS OF SLEEP in the subject line. Mission #20 When you get home from work and change out of your dress clothes; pick out your clothes for tomorrow. That is one less thing to do in the morning. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with I KNOW WHAT I AM WEARING TOMORROW! In the subject line. We are the queens of procrastination. Don't allow your procrastination to bite you once again. Jump Back on the FlyLady Bandwagon.
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Post by SAR01 on Jan 31, 2018 13:27:32 GMT -5
Dear Friends, This week we are concluding our back to basics. Some of you like it; and others did not. What I have decided is that I can't please all of you, so I have to follow my inspiration and do what I feel is best. Every message that goes out is here to help you find out who you are supposed to be. Your clutter and CHAOS is standing in the way of your peace. Our messages "Sink In" if you will give them a chance to change your inner dialog. All we ask is that you give our system an honest try and not whine. In the time it takes you to shoot off an email complaining; you can shine your sink. I feel that the basis for all of our problems is our need to be perfect and I mean all of them! From our homes being messy to the Super Woman Syndrome that plays havoc on our health! Does your perfectionism make you mean and nasty as well as look down on others who are not as perfect as you are? That term is so funny: There are no degrees of perfection and none of us are! Don't let this character flaw hurt your family, your job, or your friends! I have heard it all! From constructive criticism to how could you be that stupid! Perfectionism holds us back or it makes us go overboard. We are either paralyzed by not having enough time to do it right or we take all the time in the world to do it perfectly while letting everything else go by the wayside. The worst part of perfectionism is our mouths. We say hurtful things in the guise of helping someone to do it RIGHT! Let me tell you something. There is no right way to do anything: Just different ways. If I had been afraid to make a mistake; I sure would not be spilling my and soul to you every day. I make lots of mistakes every day, but that didn't stop me from putting my words into a book and finding people who have talents in editing to look at my words and make them ready for publication. My talents are following the God Breezes and helping to motivate you to do just a little, instead of being paralyzed in our perfectionism. So what if I make a mistake that spell check doesn't find or that I don't catch on my second read through. The mistakes are minor and most people know exactly what I am talking about. In fact some folks get a nice laugh from my typos. But there are others who just don't seem to get it and are mean about it. If they are mean to me, a total stranger, then how do they treat people they actually know and are supposed to love! Do their tongues give their children a lashing for not doing something right the first time? Are you guilty of this? We have all lived with those people! You know those cutting words that have become our unspoken mantra, "If you can't do it right; don't do it at all!" I want those words to leave our brains. I have forgiven those people in my life and I continue to for them. Every day I deal with my own perfectionism. The FLY Crew and I find a new layer to peel off quite frequently. Sometimes it takes one of us to say to the other. "You know we are making this harder than it really is, we are letting perfectionism creep in and ruin this for us. Let me give you some examples. Our members have been begging for a FlyLady Apron. It needed pockets and a way to wear it. We have had several designed and none of them were right. Do you think the perfectionist monster crept in again? This morning I decided it just needed to be simple. After all, Less is More! It doesn't have to carry our cleaning bottles because we have those in our bathrooms and kitchens. It doesn't have to carry our dusters because they have a home of honor in umbrella stands and vases. It just needs to cover our clothing and make us feel motivated. So, I am going to design our apron. I have been sewing since I was eight years old. This will be a piece of cake!! The same goes for a FlyLady mug to motivate us and remind us to take breaks and pamper ourselves. I wanted elegant bone china. Well guess what my mug of comfort did not stay hot long. So that idea went away because the cup did not work well. This morning my Sweet Darling brought me a cup of coffee while I was in the tub. It was a pretty mug and as I let my perfectionism go down the drain I realized that the mug needs to comfort us and motivate us. Why couldn't we just put our mottos on them: Be Kind To Me, Less is More, Just 15 Minutes, and I'm So Proud Of You!! We can keep it simple and get the job done; not make it difficult. A cup is a cup: it is the sitting down and putting our feet up along with the warmth of the liquid inside of it that blesses us! I don't have to make it so hard. Poof another layer of my perfectionism is gone again. Whenever something seems to be too hard; look and see if your perfectionism is getting in the way. When your frustration level reaches that exploding point; STOP and check to see if it is your perfectionism that is making you crazy. Are you ready to FLY? Let go of your perfectionism and sprout those wings!!! FlyLady Tip of the Day: When you hear yourself say, "I don't have time!"Set your timer for just 2 minutes and do exactly what you said you didn't have time to do. Most of the time you will get it done. At least it will be better than it was! Mission #17 Grab your FlyLady mop and do your floors without sweeping them first. This is an exercise in letting go of the perfectionism that you were taught by your mother. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with WHO KNEW THIS WOULD WORK! in the subject line. Mission #18 Set your timer for 2 minutes and get the whole family to help you fold towels and wash clothes. Now I want you to watch how they do it. Do not tell them how to fold the towels. If you start twitching and refolding towels; you are a perfectionist. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO FOLD A TOWEL! in the subject line.
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Post by SAR01 on Feb 1, 2018 16:51:23 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
Some of you are having a problem with your morning routine. So I am going to walk you through mine. Now remember I don't have small children.
1. I roll out of bed, but first I lie there and think about my morning for a minute or two. I say a prayer of thanks and asked God to send blessings for my family and my FlyBabies.
2. When my feet hit the floor, I make up my bed, sometime the cat is still in it. LOL He has to move quick. I start the day laughing. LOL Then I have to go to the bathroom. My bed making is a race to see how fast I can do it, because I really have to get to the bathroom. LOL
3. Most of the time I take a bath in the evening, so I don't have to shower, but I always have to wash my turkey hair as Robert calls it. This way I don't scare myself when I walk into the bathroom during the day. If I shower it is short and not hot. I want to be perky.
4. Since I am in the bathroom anyway. While I am fixing my hair, brushing my teeth, and putting on my moisturizer or makeup. I shine my sink with a purple rag. I also swish the toilet with the b(soap is soap I use old shampoo or body wash). This is all done as part of my morning bathroom ritual. I don't even realize I am doing it. I keep a post-it not on the mirror, just in case I leave out a step.
5. Then I put on my clothes that I have laid out the night before. They hang on a hook on the door. Then I put on my socks and shoes.
6. As I am leaving my bedroom. I grab a basket of laundry that is in the floor of the closet. Shut the closet door. Turn out the lights and turn around and look at my beautiful bedroom.
Time expired is 8 to 15 minutes according if I have to shower. I am not kidding. I move fast when I want to. Time expired 1 or 2 minutes
7. Take the load of laundry to the basement and start the washer. I don't have to sort, because we sort as we remove our clothes into lights and darks.
8. Then I go to the kitchen. Set the timer so I won't forget to put the clothes in the dryer. I told you I was a sidetracked. If I started the dishwasher before bed, I empty it right then. So I will have a place to put dirty dishes all day. Turn on coffee, dust mop(2 Min) and feather dust(2 min) while the coffee is brewing, and then I open up my control journal and look at my routine to see if I have missed any step.
9. This reminds me to feed the critters, check my calendar, get out something for supper, and take my vitamins.
10. On the opposite page of my routine is my daily check list. I scan it and do a visual inspection of my kitchen, Living room, entrance, I know my bathroom and bedroom are finished. and my other rooms look good from the before bed routine.
My morning routine is finished: it has taken 20 to 30 minutes at the most. usually much shorter because I bathe at night. Then I get on my treadmill for 15 minutes or more.
This is when I do my morning meditation. My coffee is ready, I grab my breakfast and my books and sit down to 15 minutes of inspiration for my body and my soul. Then I turn on my computer. Make my calls, answer emails, and get to work. I may have to go to the office. When I walk out the door, I turn around and look at the house; knowing when I get home my home will hug us.
Every day is the same. Whether I am home or in meetings all day. My routine is finished before I leave the house or do anything. My routine is more than just these steps, it is a way for me to bless my home, my family and myself. My morning routine is behind me. I have nothing to dread or to feel guilt about. I am free to focus on my day, What ever the day my bring. If I know the day of the week I know what my day has in store for me. This is my Basis Weekly Plan. Thursday is the day for my Facebook Live Show. Join me at 2:00 pm EST. I will also be posting on Youtube and our website.
FLYing is so easy when you have a routine,
FlyLady Tip of the Day: Get up 15 minutes before the flow of the family and get dressed all the way to shoes! Mission #21 While you are getting dressed each morning; Swish and Swipe to keep your bathroom clean and ready for company. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with MY BATHROOM IS FIT FOR A QUEEN in the subject line. Mission #22 What time do you have to be at work or the kids to school and then you to work. How long does it take you to drive the distance? Now add 15 minute grace time to your drive and drop off time. Do the math and figure out what time to leave the house each morning. Then send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with I AM GOING TO SHOCK EVERYONE BY BEING ON TIME TO WORK! In the subject line.
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Post by SAR01 on Feb 1, 2018 17:18:13 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
Welcome to a new month and a new habit! February is Declutter for 15 minutes, and we are going to take full advantage of our time. Monday through Friday this month you will get a new Declutter Mission that follows the Zone we are in. If you have a declutter story or an idea that you have found to be useful please send us an email with MY DECLUTTER STORY in the subject line!
FlyLady Rebecca
February Declutter Mission #1 - Zone 1
Set the timer for 15 minutes and clear your front porch of all the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations.
Dear FlyLady and Rebecca,
I've been following the FlyLady system for about ten years and I can tell you it's the best decluttering system (no, make that peace-in-the-home system) on the face of the earth!
My home is on auto pilot, and I love it, I just obey whatever my control journal says every day, I know it's totally doable. Mind you, it wasn't like that when I started, I had broken my leg on vacation and had lots of time on my hands to surf the net and that's when I found you. It was a while before I could implement everything because I wasn't able to use the stairs for a few weeks, but I took care of everything downstairs according to your plan from my wheelchair, and I'll never forget how good it made me feel to bring my downstairs to order little by little! I never looked back, and I want to thank you for helping me love my home and myself instead of all the frustration and self-blame I experienced before I knew you! My favorite two sayings: baby steps and I can do anything for 15 minutes!!!
With deep appreciation, Flybaby Marie-Claire
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Post by SAR01 on Feb 2, 2018 19:25:03 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
Did you know that you can actually fill up your car before it hits empty and you are running around on fumes? We don't usually do anything until we HAVE TO!
So you are driving to an appointment, work, or to pick up the children and notice that your fuel gauge is on the big "E" and you don't have time to stop and get gas, because you are already running ten minutes late. Then your car starts sputtering and you run out of gas, in the middle of a busy road.
Look at what this does to you and your family!
At this moment, you are under tremendous stress and almost in tears. This is not good for your health. If you are running late for work, your reputation of being tardy has been validated once again. You have to make excuses. No one wants to hear the same tawdry reasons for you being late. Your children are waiting for you to pick them up. This is not good. Your appointment has to be canceled and reschedule, what a waste of the professional's time and yours. Now what about your safety issue? The traffic, and getting gas to get you moving again. You are stranded in the middle of no where. What now! You have to call and inconvenience, your husband or a friend to come and rescue you once again. What about the time they lose in their day, all because you didn't fill up when you needed to. Getting help cost money. Your children are crying and you are at your wits end. Then you start to cry. Are you sick and tired of living this way?
What can you do to stop this from happening ever again?
Most of your life, you have been running on empty. Empty of mind(no time to think) Empty of body(You don't take care of yourself by eating good food) Empty of spirit(you are depressed and feel martyred).
You run until you can no longer keep going. Does this sound familiar? Then you crash and burn, Get sick or literally run out of gas.
You will not believe what I am going to tell you. The answer to this problem is to fix this into your routine. Your Basic Weekly Plan!
When you notice the fuel gauge on half a tank, then start looking for moments of time when you are not rushed to fill up. Figure out how often you need to fill up and set a specific time of the week to do just that. I keep a spare twenty dollar bill in my car, so I will always have the cash on hand to fill up when I get a chance. When you use it, you have to replace it, the next time you have cash in hand. Connect filling up with car clean up. Every time you fill up, throw away your trash. Or every time you clean out and wash you car, you fill up. We have a car clean up challenge each Friday
If you will quit letting your fuel gauge steal your time, safety and sanity, you will begin to find a small amount of peace in your life. Think about those little bits of time that you can rescue if you just do a little planning. I know that this is foreign to us, but we can learn. I was so proud of myself today. I filled up with a quarter of a tank left in my car. Try it sometime. It is so liberating.
Now to the problem of you running on Empty.
Take breaks, Drink your water, plan just a little, do your routines and get dressed to shoes every morning when you get up and go to bed at a decent hour.
I am Flying with a Full Tank! How about you?
FlyLady
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Post by SAR01 on Feb 3, 2018 12:56:28 GMT -5
ear Friends, Welcome to a new month and a new habit! February is Declutter for 15 minutes, and we are going to take full advantage of our time. Monday through Friday this month you will get a new Declutter Mission that follows the Zone we are in. If you have a declutter story or an idea that you have found to be useful please send us an email with MY DECLUTTER STORY in the subject line! FlyLady Rebecca February Declutter Mission: No mission today! Today is Saturday, Family Fun Day! So, get with your kids or loved one and do something fun! Dear FlyLady, In no particular order, and some tips I've gleaned from other sources over the years. But these are my declutter stand-bys. 1. 6 Month Rule. If I haven't needed it, worn it, looked for it, read it or replaced it in 6 months, out it goes. One exception I make is for the few good outfits I still have, still fit into, but seldom wear. They are my "just in case" wardrobe. All my clothes fit in the one closet in my house (yep, just one), one dresser, and my cedar chest (seasonal stuff). 2. Keep a picture, not the object. Just because Great Great Aunt Griselda it from string while crossing the Plains in a wagon, doesn't mean I have to hang onto it. 3. Forbidden Words and Phrases: "Maybe I could...." "I might need ..." "What if .....?" "But Great Great Aunt .... [see 2 above]" and "I can sell it." That last one leads to ... 4. How much is my time worth compared to what I might get for the item? I tend to put a greater value on my time. One yard sale was enough. I check similar items on e-bay and decide if the time involved is worth the sold price. Donation with a tax deduction is my favorite. Quick and easy. 5. Craft items. Keep repeating "I have enough for two lifetimes." 6. No regrets. Once something is gone, it's gone [see 2, again]. FlyBaby P
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Post by SAR01 on Feb 4, 2018 19:15:53 GMT -5
We Are In: Zone 2: The Kitchen
Met our new puppy! Tulip! We are getting back to basics! This month we are decluttering every day! Jump back on the FlyLady Bandwagon! Sign up to get our Back to Basics Messages! Do you have your new calendar? It is hard to keep up with a busy schedule when there is no place to write your appointments. How is your child going to learn how to use a calendar when it is hidden in your phone? Zone 2: Mission #1 Monday
Dear Friends,
We are in the kitchen this week!
Take 15 minutes and scrub your stove top. Soak the knobs and drip pans in hot soapy water while you clean the stove top. Some elbow grease and hot soapy water will take care of a lot. Don't become a perfectionist and try to get it as clean as the day it was new. Just do the best you can and then scrub the drip pans and knobs.
Anything that you do will be better than what it was!
FlyLady Rebecca
Zone 2: Mission #2 Tuesday
Dear Friends,
Every once in awhile I get an email from a member with a mission suggestion. I received this one and thought it was great! So here is your mission from a member for the kitchen today:
I was in the kitchen the other day putting away the silverware and noticed how gross the silverware holder had become! Also, the area around the holder was filled with little bits of nothing..elastics, paperclips, ketchup packets! A total mess, in other words. I had the thought that it would be great to have a mission for this as I'm sure there are plenty of flybabies just like me who don't think about it!
FlyLady Rebecca
Zone 2: Mission #3 Wednesday
Dear Friends,
Today is Anti-Procrastination Day and we are still in the kitchen!
Your mission for today is to grab a trash bag and clean out your refrigerator. You are to toss ANYTHING that will not get eaten any time soon. This means that new salad dressing you decided to try but really don't like. It is time to let it go. Just as the rule applies to the rest of the house. If you don't love or use it, lose it! Get rid of the fruit that is a few days beyond when it was really edible, get rid of the veggies that are turning into a science project. Check the dates on the cheeses that are potential science project.
You will be able to really make a better grocery list when your fridge is cleaned out of all the items you don't like and or don't use!
FlyLady Rebecca
Zone 2: Mission #4 Thursday
Dear Friends,
Your Mission for today is to declutter your plastic wraps and foil drawers, cabinets or shelves. We all have a spot that we keep these items and there is always one empty box in there and some lone baggies that are trying to escape. Toss the empty boxes, the rolls of plastic wraps that are too stuck together to work, and those strays that you are not sure if you should use them or not.
This is quick and easy! Have Fun!
FlyLady Rebecca
Zone 2: Mission #5 Friday
Dear Friends,
Today is our last day in the kitchen and I want you to spend 5 minutes and check on the cleaning supplies and things under your sink. Are there things that you don't use? Are there items you have run out of and need to put on your list? Now, what is up with your dish rags and sponges? If you need new ones, put them on the list too.
Enjoy your weekend!
FlyLady Rebecca
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Post by SAR01 on Feb 4, 2018 19:35:56 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
For years we have slowly allowed clutter to take over our homes. Please do not expect it to disappear overnight. I don't want you to become discouraged about this process. As SHEs we are an "all or nothing" kind of people.
Your home did not get dirty over night and it is not going to get clean in a day. Now listen very closely to me. Baby steps will get you there.
Start by clearing out your visible HotSpots, then as the peace hugs your home in it's loving arms you will gradually cruise through your zones clearing out layers of clutter. I like to think of this as peeling an onion; one layer at a time.
BabySteps!! 15 minutes a day to declutter is all I ask!
February's New Habit is Decluttering for 15 minutes a day!
FlyLady
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